Great Glen Way - 123 km - 6 days walk
The Great Glen Way runs 123 km from Fort William to Inverness. It passes Britain's highest mountain (Ben Nevis), follows its greatest geological fault along the shores of its most famous loch (Loch Ness) and finishes in Inverness, Scotland's most norternly city and the capital of the Highlands. Much of it runs alongside the Caledonian Canal, an outstanding feature of Victorian engineering in Scotland. Most of the walking is straightforward, along canal towpaths and forest tracks, but there are some challenging sections and the final day is 31 km long.
Day 1: Glasgow - Fort William
Drive from Glasgow to Fort William, the capital of West Highlands with population of 10.000. Free day for sightseeing - accommodation in Fort William.
Day 2: Fort William - Gairlochy
The route begins in Fort William, under the shadow of Ben Nevis, Britains highest mountain. This is easy walk, enlivened by many interesting canal features including Neptune's Staircase, Old Inverlochly Castle, and views of Ben Nevis.
Accommodation at Spean Bridge - which is a short drive from Gairlochy.
Walk: 18 km - Ascent 25 m.
Day 3: Gairlochy - South Laggan
Short drive from Spean Bridge to Gairlochy, where the walk resumes. This is farily easy walking along the lenght of Loch Lochy, with splendid views. Accommodation in South Laggan.
Walk: 18 km - Ascent 150 m.
Day 4: South Laggan - Fort Augustus
Easy walk to Fort Augustus - scenic sections along Loch Oich, with mixed woodland an lovely views. Accomodation in Fort Augustus - a lovely village with many attractions, notably the sights of boats working through the flights of locks at its centre.
Walk: 18 km - Ascent 50 m.
Day 5: Fort Augustus - Invermoriston
This section undulates through coniferous forest, with a wide variety of species and ages. From time to time you glimpse superb views across Loch Ness through the gaps in the forest. Accommodation in Invermoriston, a tiny village on the west cost of Loch Ness.
Walk 14 km - Ascent 200 m.
Day 6: Invermoriston - Drumnadochit
Moderate walk with some steep sections, a fine forest section above the loch-side, then plateau moorland and farmland with views over the Great Glen. Drumnarochit hosts a number of visitor attractions and is famous for being the capital of the monster industry. The magnificient Urquhart Castle is also close by and worth a visit.
Accommodation in Drumnadrochit.
Walk: 24 km - Ascent 400 m.
Day 7: Drumnadrochit - Inverness
This is the most challenging section of the Way, with some spectacular views. Mainly forest and moorland tracks, with several miles on a minor road and finally island and roadside paths. The walk concludes at Inverness Castle.
Accommodation in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands.
Walk: 31 km - Ascent 390 m.
Day 8:
Train journey from Inverness to Glasgow where the Tour ends.